What we Believe
Have a read about what we believe here at Crawley Community Church in of our shorter statement of faith below. If you’ve got any questions about what we believe or want some more clarification, please ask a question using the form at the bottom of this page.
1. The Triune God
We believe in one God, eternally existent in three equally divine persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; who know, love, and glorify one another. This one true and living God is infinite in holiness and love, the Creator of all things, visible and invisible. He is worthy of all glory and worship, immortal and eternal, sovereign over all, and providentially fulfilling His eternal purposes to redeem a people for Himself and renew all of creation.
(Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10; Matthew 3:16–17; John 10:30; 17:3; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
2. Revelation and the Authority of Scripture
We believe that God has revealed Himself decisively through the 66 books of the Bible, which are inspired by the Holy Spirit, without error in their original writings, and fully authoritative in all matters of faith, doctrine, and life. Scripture is sufficient, clear, and final – the supreme rule for the Church.
As a church, we affirm the historic, orthodox Christian view of the Bible and do not hold to liberal or revisionist interpretations that diminish its authority or clarity.
(2 Timothy 3:15–17; John 17:17; 2 Peter 1:20–21)
3. Humanity and Creation
We believe God created human beings, in His image, male and female. Adam and Eve were made to govern creation, enjoy fellowship with God, and reflect His character. Men and women, equally made in God’s image, enjoy equal access to God through faith in Christ and are called to meaningful engagement in family, Church, and society.
4. Marriage is a covenantal
Lifelong union between one man and one woman, designed to reflect the union between Christ and the Church. We affirm and uphold the biblical definition of marriage and the traditional family as essential for human flourishing and godly witness, that marriage is an institution given by God to mankind and is only to be between one man and one woman as in the initial design.
(Genesis 2:24; Genesis 1:26–28; Ephesians 5:22–33)
5. The Fall and Total Depravity
Adam, created in God’s image, rebelled against God through the temptation of Satan. This brought sin, corruption, and death into the world. As a result, every human being is born spiritually dead; enslaved to sin, unable to choose God, and wholly dependent on divine grace for salvation.
We affirm the doctrine of total depravity: that sin has affected every part of our being, leaving us incapable of saving ourselves. Our greatest need is reconciliation with a holy God, and our only hope is His undeserved mercy.
(Genesis 3; Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:9–18; Romans 5:18–19)
6. God's Eternal Plan – Predestination and Sovereign Grace
Before the foundation of the world, God sovereignly chose to save a people for Himself out of fallen humanity, not based on foreseen merit, effort, or faith, but according to His own will and grace.
We affirm the doctrines of predestination and unconditional election: God sets His love on His people and calls them effectually to Himself through Christ. All whom the Father has chosen will be justified, sanctified, and glorified.
At the same time, the gospel call is to be preached to all, and everyone is invited to repent and believe.
(Ephesians 1:3–6; Romans 8:29–30; John 6:37)
7. The Gospel
The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ, God’s wisdom and power for salvation. Though foolishness to the world, it is central to God’s redemptive plan. The gospel is Christ-centred, cross-shaped, resurrection-focused, biblical, historical, apostolic, theological, and deeply personal.
If Christ is not proclaimed, the gospel is not proclaimed. If His death and resurrection are not central, the message is not true.
(1 John 1:1; John 3:18)
8. Christ’s Redemption
Motivated by love and in obedience to the Father, the eternal Son took on flesh, born of a virgin, fully God and fully man. Jesus lived sinlessly, died on the cross under Pontius Pilate, rose bodily on the third day, and ascended to the Father’s right hand.
As our substitute, He bore our sins, satisfied God’s justice, and reconciled us to the Father. His resurrection broke death’s power and secured eternal life for all who believe. His ascension exalted Him as Lord of all.
There is salvation in no one else. Christ is our wisdom, righteousness, holiness, and redemption
(Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 9:14)
9. Justification by Faith
We believe that through Christ’s obedience and sacrificial death, all who are justified have their sins fully pardoned. His perfect obedience is credited to those who trust in Him by faith alone.
This justification is entirely by grace, not based on any merit in us, so that God's justice and grace might be glorified. This leads to a renewed zeal for holy living.
(Hebrews 9:28)
10. The Power of the Holy Spirit – Continuationist Convictions
The Holy Spirit applies Christ’s saving work to God’s people. Sent by the Father and the Son, the Spirit glorifies Christ, convicts of sin, regenerates dead sinners, and brings them to repentance and faith. He baptises believers into union with Christ, sanctifies them, adopts them into God’s family, and gifts them for service. The Spirit indwells, teaches, leads, and empowers the Church to live for God’s glory.
As a church, we are continuationist. We believe that the gifts of the Spirit, including prophecy, tongues, healing, and miracles, continue today and should be pursued eagerly and practised biblically, always under the authority of Scripture and for the building up of the body.
(John 15:26; Acts 2:17–18; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; John 3:3–5; Titus 3:5–6)
11. The Kingdom of God
All who are united to Christ by faith and regenerated by the Spirit enter God’s Kingdom and experience the blessings of the new covenant: forgiveness, inner transformation, and the hope of glory.
Saving grace, produces the necessary evidence of good works. As salt and light in a decaying and dark world, believers do not retreat but live publicly and faithfully, bearing witness to Christ and His coming Kingdom.